Saturday Div 2: Newlands Reserves crush Pier to boost title hopes

Andy Bloomfield

Newlands Reserves eased to an 8-2 home win against West Pier Reserves to boost their second division title bid.

Drew McCoubrey put the hosts in front and central midfielder Jason Prosser added a second to confirm Newlands' dominance, McCoubrey adding the third and Stew Bates adding a fourth before Rob Speight pulled one back for Pier.

This is how the score remained until the final 25 minutes, man of the match Prosser making it 5-1, the visaitors hitting a second before a quickfire hat-trick from sub Liam Mancrief, the teenager's first in senior football, in the last 15 minutes secured the points for Newlands.

Newlands are clear of second-placed Edgehill Reserves by only one point but they have four games in hand so are strong favourites to claim the league crown, although, like the other teams in the top four they cannot be promoted as their first teams are in Division One.

Edgehill Reserves claimed a 9-3 home win against second-from-bottom Ayton without ever hitting top form.

After a closely contested opening spell it was the hosts who went in front through an unlucky headed own goal from centre-back Jamie Millar, which sailed over keeper Shaun Dolan.

Youngster Josh Wallace added a second but Ayton soon replied with Carl Grayson's shot after a corner, Matt Burling added a third goal to restored Edgehill's two-goal lead before the interval.

Winger Andy Noon made it 4-1 then two cracking goals from player-boss Martyn Ferrey, the second a stunning volley from 30 yards which gave Dolan no chance, pulled the hosts well clear.

Ayton pulled a goal back through Paul Oldroyd's penalty after he had been fouled in the area, but noon added his second and Dave Ledden struck to make it 8-2.

Jake Adams scored after a free-kick for the visitors, but Wallace's second completed the scoring.

Defender Burling was singled out as the star man for the hosts by Ferrey, who also had a good game,, while teenage winger Tyler Beck was man of the match for Ayton, with Adams also impressing.

Ayton's relegation rivals Snainton and Falsgrave Athletic battled it out for a 2-2 draw at the village club's ground.

Mikey Anderson put Falsgrave in front but Martin Karetnyk levelled before half-time for the villagers.

Konrad Sygitowicz restored Falsgrave's lead after the break, but Snainton fought back again, Martin Kelly earning his side a point with his goal.

Left-winger Damian Foster, debutant Ned Kennedy and keeper Haydn Backhouse all impressed for Any Holt's home side while Sean Hughes, who started on the right of midfield and went back to right-back, was Falsgrave's man of the match, with Anderson also putting in a good shift.

Duchess dug deep for a 3-2 home win against Scalby.

Tim Jackson's looping shot put Duchess ahead but the visitors levelled only for Tom Hicks to latch onto a fine through-ball and make it 2-1 at half-time.

A defensive mistake allowed Scalby in to level after the break but man of the match Luke Midgley secured the win for Paul McBean's side with a 20-yard shot.